FOTHERINGHAY CASTLE

12th century motte and bailey castle surviving as an earthwork. The castle keep and inner curtain wall were extensively repaired during Edward IVs reign and the castle was well maintained throughout the reigns of the Tudor monarchs. Sold into private hands in 1603, the walling was gradually stripped so that little now remains. Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned here from 1586-7, until her execution in the great hall.

Fotheringhay Castle was built probably by Simon de St.Liz c.1100. It was largely rebuilt by Edmund Langley son of Edward III. It is remembered chiefly as the place where Mary Queen of Scots was held prisoner from 1586 to her execution here on 8th February, 1587. Little remains but the powerful motte and bailey on which it was rebuilt in the late 14th century. The earthworks are almost certainly of the 12th cent. There is an outer bailey which was probably never walled. In the early 18th century, the castle was described as 'mostly demolished' (a). (2)

Fotheringhay Castle, scheduled. (3)

Present condition as noted by authority 2; the site is under private ownership.Re-surveyed at 1/2500.G.P. AO/62/52/5 Fallen Keep Masonry (not in situ) /6 Notice on fenced masonry /7 Motte, aspect from west. (4)

No change. (5)

Motte and inner bailey probably 12th century. Castle rebuilt and enlarged in late 14th century with further 15th century alterations. Abandoned in 17th century followed by gradual demolition largely complete by 18th century. Remaining building fragments incorporated into Castle Farm and W. moat filled in late 19th century. Description of castle survive from various dates: 1341, 1580s, 1625 and allow conjectural reconstructions of the castles lay-out. Motte and bailey survive well but outer defences only as remains. Plan, profiles and reconstruction published. (6)

(TL 062929). Blade of brown flint found in the material of which the castle motte was formed. (7)

A `tower' is documented at the site in 1340. Rebuilt in 1377-1402 as a stone castle with a stone D-shaped keep on the motte. In good repair until at least 1625. (8)

Formerly among the English lands of the Scottish Kings, Fotheringhay was forfeited to the English Crown in 1294 at the time of the war with John Balliol. In 1377 it was granted to Edmund of Langley who largely rebuilt it. Edward IV spent heavily on it. (9)

It remained a royal possession until 1603, and was held in dower by Henry VII and VIII's consorts in turn. Its lodgings were maintained in good condition although its usefulness as a defensive work declined. In 1603 it passed to private hands and was still fairly intact when surveyed in 1625. Soon after then, the great hall was acquired by Sir Robert Cotton and its interior removed to Connington in Huntingdonshire. (10)

SOURCE TEXT

( 1) Ordnance Survey Map (Scale / Date)

OS 6" 1958

( 2) Pevsner, N 1970 The Buildings of England

Northamptonshire, 1961, 211

( 2a) General reference

Stukeley (Itin. Curios. 35')

( 3) General reference

A.M.s. Eng. & Wales 1955.p.50 (M.O.W.)

( 4) Field Investigators Comments

F1 FDC 09-MAY-62

( 5) Field Investigators Comments

F1 FDC 22-OCT-70

( 6) Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments, England 1975 An inventory of the historical monuments in the County of Northampton. Volume I: archaeological sites in north-east Northamptonshire